Operator Michael Young

Police apprehended two juveniles and one adult suspected of breaking into a Puget Sound area school to take a couple VHS tapes after Sonitrol Pacific’s audio security system detected them October 24.

Monitoring Operator Michael Young received the impact-activated audio alert from the school around 10:30 p.m.  He heard faint bangs followed by sounds of movement and called police.

When police arrived, they found where someone had broken into the school and a car in the parking lot with the engine still warm.  However, no intruders were located during a search of the school.

When leaving the school, officers saw the windows of the car were now fogged up.  They detained the person hiding inside.

A police dog was used to track down two more suspects.  Upon being caught, the two admitted to breaking into the school.

All three were taken into custody.

The suspects got inside the school by tearing off fiber board and breaking a window.  Once inside the school, they took a couple VHS tapes.

Operator Joe Orsborn

Police plucked two suspected trespassers from the roof of a Portland area school after Sonitrol Pacific’s audio security system detected them October 29.

Monitoring Operator Joe Orsborn received the impact-activated audio signal from the school just before midnight.  He heard sounds of rustling and movement and immediately called the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department.

Officers located two people on the school’s roof and apprehended them.  The two were cited for trespassing and being minors in possession.

The suspects did not get inside the school and no property damage was done.  A representative from the school district expressed gratitude for Sonitrol Pacific’s early and verified detection.  The school has an extremely tight budget and costs from theft or vandalism would have been devastating.

Minta Christopherson

Guards caught three teens suspected of smashing pumpkins on a Puget Sound area grade school wall after Sonitrol Pacific’s audio security system detected them November 4.

Operator Minta Christopherson received an impact-activated alert from the school’s audio security system just after 11 p.m.  She heard what could be something falling over and called the guard service to investigate.

The security guards found where pumpkins had been smashed outside near the library and located three juveniles in the field near the school.  The kids were detained until their parents arrived to pick them up.

The next day, teachers arrived to find the kids scrubbing dried pumpkin off the school wall.

Robin Goings

Police caught one person suspected of trespassing inside an Everett church after a Sonitrol Pacific monitoring operator heard threatening activity over live audio security sensors November 6.

Operator Robin Goings received the security system activation from New Beginnings Church just after 9 p.m.  At first, he didn’t hear anything suspicious, but monitored activity for a while longer and soon heard sounds of movement and doors opening.

Goings called Everett Police and continued to listen to what was happening while they were on their way.  He heard a faint voice and let police know.

Officers located one suspected trespasser and took him into custody.

Operator Michael Young

Police arrested four suspected school burglars after a break-in was detected by Sonitrol Pacific’s audio security and the monitoring operator let police know where to find the intruders November 18.

Michael Young, Sonitrol Pacific Operator, received an alert from the impact-activated audio sensors inside the school’s library a little before midnight.  He heard sounds of glass breaking and voices, and called police.

Police located four men in the library and arrested them.  A fifth suspect got away with a computer, but officers expect to locate him as well.

Officers responded quickly to the verified alarm and knew exactly where inside the school the intruders were thanks to detailed information provided by audio security sensors monitored by Sonitrol Pacific’s experts.

Jim Payne, our VP of Sales & Marketing, called it “the summer of the slammer”.  I favored “summertime = prime time crime time”.  However you want to label it, Sonitrol Pacific detections yielded bumper crop of apprehensions during the third quarter of 2011.

During July, August and September, authorities caught 110 suspects in 43 separate incidents after one of our operators verified a threat with audio or video detection technology and took action.

Point of Entry:
Window-16%
Other-20%
Door-27%
No Entry-36%

Type of Offender:
Burglar-41%
Trespasser-33%
Vandal-22%
Other-4%

Salena Wolfe

Salena Wolfe was named Sonitrol Pacific’s Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2011.

Whether it’s taking care of customers, supporting teammates or challenging own personal development, Salena is always taking it to the next level.  She’s positive, enthusiastic, helpful and, in general, awesome.

Salena’s commitment to excellence is not new.  She was named our Employee of the Month for August in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Salena is now eligible for the Employee of the Year award.

Read more about Salena’s value to our organization.

Counter an alarming trend

Kerry Goodwin

Kerry Goodwin, Sonitrol Pacific Puget Sound Director of Schools, presented a program at the recent Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators (WAMOA) fall conference to help inform members of new and proven technologies to keep ahead of verified response and enhanced call verification ordinances.

At a time of shrinking budgets and scarce police resources, these alarm codes are growing in popularity as an answer to the high cost of false burglar alarms.  By being proactive, schools and organizations can be part of the false burglar alarm solution.

Traditional crime detection technology is a big part of the problem.  In the article, SIAC Looks to Adopt New Options & a Broader Message to Law Enforcement, security “industry leaders” acknowledge the false alarms caused by motion sensors.  It identifies the need to consider utilizing technology and designing systems that “confirm” or verify alarms before dispatching.  This is something Sonitrol Pacific has emphasized for more than 30 years.

Goodwin worked with members of the Sonitrol Pacific team to create this program specifically for the WAMOA audience, but we recognize it offers valuable information and would be happy to share it with more people in the community.  If you would like to have a member of the Sonitrol Pacific team explain these tactics with your association or networking group, just call and we’ll connect you with an expert.

3 months, 44 incidents, 127 suspects
The 2011 Pacific Northwest summer may have been cool, but the apprehensions were hot.

The warm summer weather was slow in coming this year and didn’t last long, but the apprehensions due to Sonitrol Pacific detections were hot and heavy.

From late May through the end of August, 127 suspected trespassers, burglars and vandals were caught after a Sonitrol Pacific security system detected the threat and a member of our team called proper authorities.  Of these, 46 percent were caught while still outside the school facility.

Sonitrol Pacific’s security systems are designed for the earliest possible detection of threats.  This allows police to be on scene quickly and catch suspects, saving schools money and losses.

Several types of offenders comprise the 127:
Trespassers: 47%; Burglars: 27%; Vandals: 23%; Other: 2%

One highly publicized incident took place in August at West Linn’s Bolton Primary School.  Sonitrol Pacific detected a threat and police arrested a woman suspected of trying to steal approximately $50,000 in electronics.  For complete details, visit our blog.

Accessing more secure results
Only 18 percent of colleges report using their access control systems effectively according to a recent study completed by Ingersoll Rand.  Sound familiar?  The Sonitrol Pacific team can help.  Talk to us today about how to increase the effective use of a facility access system and save scarce budget dollars.

Stay connected, stay secure
You can have ready access to security tips and trends from the Sonitrol Pacific team through our blog,

Heather Rosenthal at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Portland

The Sound Security team and our clients recognize Heather Rosenthal’s personal commitment to excellence.  They trust her knowledge, her passion and her experience, but most of all, they trust and respect her.  We want Heather to know what a valued asset she is to our organization and named her our September 2011 Employee of the Month.

“I appreciate Heather everyday for her dedication to excellence and to the Company,” Barbara Hamlin said.  “Heather’s eyes are always open.”

Heather’s level of productivity is amazing; her work ethic is exceptional; her attitude is always positive and “can do”.  She delivers quality service to her clients and meets, if not exceeds, her goals.

Heather Rosenthal at Crime Stoppers award ceremony

The recent turnaround of Anestis Polizos from Alexander OTB from a cancelling client to a raving fan is just one example of Heather’s expertise and passion in action.  Not only did she educate him of the value of his current system, Heather helped him see the increased security and benefits of adding to it.

Heather naturally leads by the example she sets, but she also serve as an amazing “go to gal” with her technical knowledge and willingness to assist her peers.

We thank Heather for her years of loyalty and congratulate her on earning this honor.

Ashley Sutton

Two juveniles trespassing at a Puget Sound area school were caught after their voices were detected by Sonitrol Pacific audio security sensors August 3.

Monitoring Operator Ashley Sutton received impact-activated audio sensor alerts from the school just after 6:00 p.m.  She heard banging sounds and voices and call the school’s security guard service.

Sutton continued to monitor live audio of what was happening at the school while the guard was on his way.  She could hear voices and more banging, then what sounded like glass breaking.

Two juveniles were located at the school, detained and released to their parents.  The two were suspected of breaking out an already partially broken window.